Tiberias Flood Ravages Area; 5,000 Homeless

May 16, 1934

Jerusalem (May. 16)

Five thousand are homeless in Tiberias as a result of the two-day flood. Property losses amount to more than $500,000, the mayor of Tiberias announced today.

A communique issued by the government of Palestine stated that arrangements have been completed for feeding 2,000 of the flood victims. High Commissioner Sir Arthur Grenfell Wauchope visited the stricken area on a tour of investigation and promised government aid for the victims. Arabs and Jews from neighboring communities are cooperating in relief work.

The government announcement stated that twenty-four of the dead have been identified and that ten persons are listed as missing. Nine Jews are dead and one is listed as missing.

The storm swept area today was faced with the prospect of a widespread typhoid epidemic and local authorities are taking steps to forestall it. The floods of the last two days have made the entire district a virtual swamp.

The Tiberias disaster was discussed last night at the first meeting of the Asefath Hanivcharim, the elective assembly of Palestine. A report on the situation was submitted by one of the delegates who visited the area as a representative of the Vaad Leumi, the Jewish National Council of Palestine. He urged the assembly to issue a call for world-wide help, stating that constructive relief work beyond the capacity of local facilities was needed.